#FridayReads: Great Scots! Learn about the contributions of Scottish Canadians

Garibaldi Secondary teacher-librarian Keith Thomson recommends Great Scots!: How the Scots Created Canada by Matthew Shaw and How the Scots Invented Canada by Ken McGoogan for St. Andrew’s Day.

As we honour the many cultures represented in our schools and our country, it is essential to acknowledge that Canada’s story began long before its colonization. This land has always been home to Indigenous Peoples, whose rich histories, cultures, and contributions are the foundation of this nation.

Scottish Canadians, like many other groups, have also played an important role in shaping Canada’s modern identity, adding to the vibrant mosaic of communities that together define who we are.

In the 2021 census, about 4.4 million Canadians identified themselves as being of Scottish origin, making them the fourth largest ethnic group in the country. To put that into perspective, the population of Scotland is about 5.5 million. Indeed, there are almost as many Canadians of Scottish origin as there are Scots in Scotland. 

Scottish Canadians have left a mark on Canada in areas such as politics, education, business, exploration, and culture. Half of Canada’s prime ministers have been of Scottish descent, and Scots were instrumental in founding renowned universities like McGill, Dalhousie, and Queen’s.

The Scottish influence and cultural traditions are found in many places across the country. In 2012, for example, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson removed bagpipes from the anti-noise busking bylaws. All Canadian provinces and territories have their own tartan, and Nova Scotia is Latin for “New Scotland.” The original colonial name for British Columbia was “New Caledonia,” which also means “New Scotland.” Simon Fraser University has an award-winning pipe band that has won several world championships, while the Vancouver Police Pipe Band is the world’s oldest, continuous serving police pipe band. You can also still attend Highland Games in many communities across Canada.

St. Andrew’s Day is on November 30 each year and pays tribute to Scotland’s patron saint and Scottish heritage.

I recommend the following two books to learn more about the Scottish contribution to Canadian society and history: 

Great Scots!: How the Scots Created Canada by Matthew Shaw tells the story of the Scottish contribution to Canada from their roles in exploration and politics to their influence across various aspects of Canadian society.

How the Scots Invented Canada by Ken McGoogan looks at the Scottish Canadian story in even more detail. He includes figures such as Nellie McClung, Tommy Douglas, Alice Munro, Farley Mowat and others.

Of course, there are many more books looking at specific Scottish Canadians in SD42 libraries. Take some out and explore one of the many cultures that make up Canada.